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MBC Digital reports from the 2026 Pharmacy Expo in Blantyre where government, regulators, and industry participants discussed strategies to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing. Speakers noted that Malawi currently has very limited local production capacity and emphasized incentives for investors, improvements in regulatory support, and public-private partnerships as routes to increase domestic medicine production.

The expo showcased local distributors and manufacturers, with participants highlighting supply-chain resilience and opportunities for technology transfer and skills development.

The 2026 Pharmacy Expo is underway in Blantyre, where players in the pharmaceutical industry are discussing how to increase the manufacturing of medicines in Malawi. The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi, William Mpute, told Zodiak Online that despite the country having over 20 million people, there are only five local manufacturers of medicines. 'The demand for medicine is high compared to supply. When there is a pandemic, it sometimes takes too long to import medicines as countries prioritize their own people. There is a need for investors to come and invest in Malawi,' said Mpute.

The Chief Pharmacist at Malawi Pharmaceutical Distributors Limited, Prisca Francisco Nayope, said that through this expo they will showcase their products and learn from competitors about market performance. (by Chikondi Mphande — Blantyre, 06/27/26).

African Energy and Petroleum Limited has partnered with Mount Meru Petroleum Malawi Limited to boost Malawi’s fuel sector through shared infrastructure and distribution. Under the agreement, African Energy will utilize Mount Meru’s depots for storage and loading while leveraging its extensive retail network for product distribution. Commercial clients will also use a QR code and PIN-protected digital fleet card system for secure, real-time fuel tracking at selected stations. By combining storage assets with retail reach, the collaboration improves last-mile delivery, reduces logistical delays, and lowers operational costs.

This initiative aims to secure a consistent fuel supply nationwide, supporting key economic drivers such as transport, agriculture, and manufacturing.

We are currently recruiting for an Office Administrative Assistant based in Blantyre, Malawi. The role supports day-to-day administration, documentation, coordination, and scheduling across departments.

Full details of the role, including responsibilities, requirements, and how to apply, are available on our Careers page.

Malawi received its first rail delivery of fuel in more than four decades when a train carrying 1.2 million litres of diesel arrived at Marka Station in Nsanje District. President Lazarus Chakwera witnessed the arrival.

The delivery marks the re-operationalisation of the Sena Corridor, the railway line linking Malawi to the port of Beira in Mozambique, which had been out of service since 1983. The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) said each of the train's 24 wagons carries the equivalent of roughly two road tankers, and that the country expects to receive more than 10 million litres of fuel by rail, with services running around twice a week.

Officials described the shift from road to rail as a significant saving in both transport cost and delivery time. Mozambique has completed rehabilitation of its section of the line, while work continues on the 72-kilometre Marka to Bangula stretch inside Malawi. Until that is finished, fuel arriving at Marka is moved on to the strategic reserves in Blantyre by road.